By BARBARA L. FREDRICKSEN
Published February 19, 2004
DADE CITY - Two award-winning gospel music groups, the Wilburns and the Down East Boys, will headline "Gospel Music Night" at the 57th annual Pasco County Fair in Dade City at 5 and 8 p.m. today in Dan Cannon Auditorium.
The fair continues through Sunday at the fairgrounds on State Road 52 west of Dade City.
Jackie and Elaine Wilburn and their son, Jonathan, will be joined by singer Jimmy McMillian, pianist John Singletary and tenor Gary Casto to sing the gospel favorites Another Safe Crossing, Camp Meeting Fire and Coming Out of the Wilderness.
The Down East Boys were voted "Horizon Group of the Year" by subscribers of Singing News: The Printed Voice of Southern Gospel Music. The group's latest release, I Remember the Time, was ranked No. 26 by the magazine.
Both concerts are free.
The fair will be open from 3 to 11 p.m. today, 3 to 11:30 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. Saturday and noon to 7 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $5 for adults and $3 for children. Parking is free. Today is the last day for the $14 wristbands for unlimited carnival rides.
Other entertainment includes trainers Lee and Judy Stevens' Baboon Lagoon trained baboons, Calamity Jo's trained ponies, Gary Noel's "Doggies of the Wild West" performing animal acts and an exotic animal petting zoo for children.
Fair exhibits will be open for viewing in the Collura building.
Juggler Sean Emery and magician, illusionist and hypnotist Ron Diamond will entertain throughout the day at the Back Porch Theatre outdoor entertainment pavilion.
The Miss Heart of Florida Pageant will be at 7 p.m. Friday in Dan Cannon Auditorium. A talent contest will be at 6 p.m. Sixty-one girls from ages 6 to 17 will vie for five titles in different age categories.
The Youth Dairy Show will be at 3:30 p.m.
Saturday's events include the Miss Pasco and Miss Pasco County Fair contest at 8 p.m. and the Heart of Florida Folk Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
